Caterpillar Tractor Co.

Erwin John Bentz

Paul J Staebler

A heat exchanger is provided with pivotally mounted, angularly disposed, cooling modules or cores so as to increase the cooling capacity of the heat exchanger and, at the same time, to have a self-cleaning capability for the modules or cores. The angular disposition of the modules or cores results in a larger effective frontal area to the heat exchanger thereby increasing the cooling capacity of the heat exchanger. The angular orientation of adjacent modules or cores slightly compresses the oncoming air which provides an increased level of cooling for the cores. Each module or core can be pivoted about an axis a sufficient amount such that the opposite surface of each module or core is swept by the oncoming air which passes around and through the modules or cores in a direction opposite to an initial pass of said air whereby the modules or cores are cleaned by the reverse flow of air.

Modular heat exchanger with pivotal cores

Reversal means for a transverse or cross flow blower is provided which allows for reversal of fluid flow direction without changing impeller rotation direction. In the first embodiment, power means rotate the housing 180.degree. from its initial position, thereby providing for reversal of the fluid flow. In the second embodiment, fluid flow reversal is provided by a pair of inlet and outlet volute walls made up of curved vanes. The vanes are generally elongated and pivotally mounted for rotation about their longitudinal axis by means of linkages connected to a power means. By opening the vanes of one volute wall while closing the vanes of the other, air flow reversal is conveniently accomplished.

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Washington, IL, United States of America

Erwin John Bentz